Death at a Scottish Christmas by Lucy Connelly continues the story of Dr. Emilia McRoy, a transplanted American, now living on Sea Isle, Scotland. While trying to enjoy the Christmas festivities she ends up with the murder of a local boy made good. The characters are believable and entertaining and the location is intriguing.

This is definitely not what I expected. It started off a bit slow and then it really geared up
Dr. Emilia McRoy has a mystery on her hand. To discover what happened to the handsome Bram after he was found murdered in the cozy village of Sea Isle, with the help of her friends.
The story is so well written that it makes reading a breeze. Truly cannot recommend this enough.

I absolutely 💯 love this book! Author Lucy Connelly is a gifted writer weaving intrigue, light and implied romance, and beautiful landscape into a delightful, mystery. Her character descriptions draw the reader into the narrative.

This is a pleasant Christmas crime story set in a remote Scottish village. Lucy Connelly sets the scene well by including the numerous village festivities that come at that time of the season and describing the decorating of the church. There is the ubiquitous snow, snowing in the villagers and a host of local characters who have befriended the recently arrived Coroner, Em McRoy. Em finds herself carrying out the postmortem on the lead singer and writer for a world famous band, Bram and the Stokers, after he is found dead following a gig. The manner of death is unusual and, when another follows, Em must help her police friend Ewan find the killer. For a while, Ewan is also a suspect, but this theory is spelled after he is hit over the head and left seriously injured. The story contained sufficient suspense to hold my attention and I read it in almost one sitting. My only criticism was the ending came very suddenly and I felt there were a number of loose ends which were not tied up by the denouement. For example: was it the murderer who broke into Em's office and, if so, why? Perhaps these questions will be answered in the next story that features these characters.

I received a free copy of, Death at a Scottish Christmas, by Lucy Connelly, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 3 in The Scottish Isle Mystery Series. There is a death at Christmas time in Sea Isle, Scotland. Dr. Emilia McCoy has a murder to solve after a musician is murdered an a constable is the person of interest. This was a nice Christmas mystery in a beautiful Scottish Island.

I enjoy the characters, the locale and the medical mysteries. This is book 3 in the Scottish Isles Mysteries series.

Dr. Emily McRoy has December off of work so her friend Mara has signed her on to volunteer as the town of Sea Isle, Scotland celebrates every cultural celebration in traditional festive customs. A local rock band who are internationally famous make a surprise stop to perform for their hometown. The next morning Emily finds a body and an investigation into the death begins. The murder's method is something very different so solving this needs Emily's medical knowledge.

I wonder which character this series will feature next and which special Scottish custom will be explored? Is romance in the cards for the doctor and the laird in this cozy mystery series?

A solid cozy mystery featuring an American doctor as the amateur sleuth who has moved to Scotland for work. All of the hometown characters are charming and I look forward to reading more in the series.

Regarding the mystery, I wasn't surprised who the murderer turned out to be. But the fun in a cozy mystery is following along as the characters try to solve the crime.

I really enjoyed this book. In Sea Isle, they work to include everyone and many types of celebrations which is awesome. I love the play on the name of the band and lead singer.

I am always a fan of characters that build their own families. Back in book 1 and repeated in this book, part of why Emilia agreed to the job was she wanted to research her family history. She has no known living family members. Sea Isle has become her new family. This book has a lot of relationships that evolve, Abigail/Henry, Em/Ewan, Angie/her husband, Em/Mara/Jasper, Em/Ewan, and Bram/The Band. The growing romance of Abigail and Henry is sweet without being over the top sweet. I love how Tommy is included. I do like how the author handles autism and Alzheimer’s

I didn’t care for some of the band members, but that was intentional. The method of killing was something new on me. I’m curious if it is really possible.

I struggled with the mystery though. It seemed to drag bit and like it would not be solved. Near the end it seemed the author also thought it was dragging because it picked up speed and solve almost too quickly that I almost missed the reason, which I am not sure I agree was a good solution.

Once the audiobook is available, I will pick this book up again, the narrator of Books 1 and 2 was great, hopefully they will narrate Book 3 as well.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story.

Happy Reading!

Dr. Emilia McRoy never had a month off when she worked in Seattle in the ER, but as coroner on Sea Isle, Scotland, she has the entire month of December off. She's already bored by December 10, and agrees to help a friend host a famous band at her pub. Bram, the lead singer of Bram and the Stokers, was originally from Sea Isle, and everyone turns out to hear them. Then, Em finds Bram dead on the beach the next day, and her short-lived vacation is over. She's a control freak, and takes over the coroner's investigation. However, Sea Isle's constable, Ewan Campbell, had a history with Bram, so the Scottish Police Authority sends in an investigator. Em juggles her loyalty to Ewan, her respect for authority, and her curiosity as she sits in as band members are questioned about the disappearance of Bram's new music, the planned tour, and his murder. When another band member dies, the case has to be solved before the band leaves the island. The investigation is slow-paced in the sequel to Death at a Scottish Wedding, but the various holiday celebrations and Em's new friends make up for the flat ending. For fans of Carlene O'Connor's County Kerry mysteries.

I love a cozy mystery and this was no exception. A great setting, fabulous characters, and a decent mystery. Wish I hadn’t jumped into this series with such a late book but I will be reading from #1 now!

Welcome back to Sea Isle where the Holiday season is thriving as the Ilse celebrates the traditions unique to its rich cultural history. I am so happy to return to the village with Dr. Em, her cohorts, and that amazing 400 year old church that is both home and clinic. Coroner Em is honing her investigating skills, and when Ewan finds himself being pushed to the sidelines by the higherups, he seems to appreciate that fact more than he once did. For Em's part, she is nothing if not loyal and professional, demonstrating those skills as she liaises between the visiting inspector and Ewan. Given that the victim's potentially deteriorating mental condition may be relevant, Dr. Em's role may be more legitimate than usual. Either way, the mystery is solid, and while the number of suspects is finite, the evidence is not Unfortunately, that results in one of two issues that led to a 4 star rather than a 5 star rating. Specifically, the limited number of suspects leads to numerous rounds of interviews with the same people and the same questions that becomes a bit tedious and seems to be more about word count than moving the story along. The second issue is another instance of needless repetition. While I am the first to fall for and enjoy the family-like relationships that exist between Em and the citizens of the Isle, I do not need to be told how Em feels about them ad nauseum. It becomes more mushy than endearing at some point. That said, there is so much to love about this book, and fans of the series will be delighted to spend the holiday season in Sea Isle. I cannot wait to return for another visit.

This is the 3rd installment in the Scottish Isle Mystery Series. I honestly just love this series. Dr. Emilla McRoy left behind a hectic ER doctor life to settle into a more laidback and less hectic pace in Sea Isle Scotland. Em has quickly made a good group of friends who have become her surrogate family and it really shows. Em has agreed to help Mara as she has the hottest band in all of Scotland come to the Pub. The lead singer Bram (the band is Bram and the Stokers) is charismatic and asks Em to dance but Ewan (Laird, Mayor, Constable and her both) is not thrilled since the two have a history. When Bram is found by Em the next morning dead on the beach is soon is determined it was murder. With Ewan’s history with the deceased someone else is brought in to “assist” on the investigation and Em is helping Ewan as she knows he is not capable of murder but also wanting justice for the handsome singer. The band and their manager have to stay in town and all sorts of issues arise and soon Em is being followed, Ewan is attacked, and soon there is another death. Em has to get to the bottom of this before something else happens. I really enjoy this series and the next book will be an automatic buy for me. I love the relationships Em has formed and she has quickly come to think of them all as family. The mystery is solid with plenty of suspects and twists and turns. Would like to see some more movement in the Em/Ewan direction as I think they would make a great couple. Highly recommend this book and the entire series.

American Dr. Emilia McRoy gets a whole month off during Christmas except when there is a murder. The lead singer who had flirted with her just last night is dead and the rest of band are suspects.
I find these stories enjoyable and fun, but whish she would wake to the attention of handsome constable Ewan Campbell. It’s currently no burn as she is clueless. I also felt that were some unanswered questions brought up during the investigation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this DRC.
#DeathataScottishChristmas #NetGalley

I truly enjoyed this! The characters were not only interesting but likable. I didn't realize it was the third book in a "series" but there was enough background, that it was OK as a stand alone. (Now I have to read the other two of course)
A local boy has returned home to his small village in Scotland with his band mates to play at the local pub. He is found dead the next morning with a puncture in the back of his neck. Although the list of suspects is short, it includes the members of the band and his manager as well as the chief of police. The American doctor/coroner does some of the investigating (can we say Angela Lansbury?) to help get to the bottom of the mystery while taking part in all of the Christmas festivities. This is her first Christmas in Scotland and the new friends she has made are kind of like her posse. A second murder, attempts on the life of the chief and the doctor make this quite the caper. Well worth the read

Thank you to NetGalley, Lucy Connelly, and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!

This book is actually the third installment of the series, and I wish I had read the first two before diving in (guess I’ll have to go back!). Though you don’t need to read them to understand the plot, there are many references that will make more sense with the first two.

It’s holiday season in Sea Isle, the little Scottish town our American doctor Em McRoy has moved to. Technically, she has the month off to enjoy all the celebrations the town has to offer, but when the lead singer of a popular Scottish band is murdered after a local show, she’s thrown headfirst into the investigation.

The weather, the paparazzi, and the death of an additional person who is likely linked to the first murder all add complications to the already complex investigation. This book is full of twists and turns that will have you guessing until the last few chapters.

This is a fast-paced read full of holiday celebrations, budding romances, friendships, and of course, an epic mystery that will have you on your toes as you turn each page.

Festive Fatality..
The third outing in the Scottish Isle Mystery series and Sea Isle is preparing for the festive season when it is thrown into shock and disbelief by a murder taking place within its sleepy confines. Dr Emilia will need her wits about her to untangle this latest catastrophe, especially as their very own police constable is suddenly suspect number one. With a deftly drawn cast of engaging characters, a well imagined setting and a solid mystery at its very heart, this is another enjoyable outing in the series.

This is such a lovely series. I really like all of the main characters. None of them are perfect, but they're all likeable and relatable. Dr. Emilia's assistant and her band of friends--I wish I was part of them. The Scottish setting makes me happy, and the mysteries are always well plotted.

In this case, the victims and suspects are all part of band. There are elements of creativity, tell-all memoir, illness, love, addiction, jealousy, and more. It's one of those books where I'm so sad at the end. Sad at the lives lost and/or ruined. Sad because nobody's all good or all evil. And sad because the book is over.

Bring on the next one, please!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of this book, ‘Death at a Scottish Christmas’.

The third book in this series has the main characters, Dr Emilia McRoy (a former ER doctor from Seattle) and Ewan Campbell (Laird, mayor, and town constable) well established. The town is looking forward to a magical Christmas celebration, but a sudden death, which looks like a murder, interrupts the festivities. To make matters worse, the victim is a high-profile person. While trying to celebrate her Christmas vacation. Dr Em and her assistant finds themselves busy doing an autopsy and trying to discover a murderer. Meanwhile, Ewan seems to be a prime suspect, so another detective is brought in, making it a very tense situation.

The cast of characters in this book, including all of the town locals, make this a great story and the author makes it difficult to guess the murderer. Add in a snowstorm that closes off the town from the outside world, and everyone becomes a little on edge as Em and Ewan try to solve the case.

In the third book of the series, we find the main character, Dr. Emilia McRoy growing more and more comfortable in her new life in Sea Isle, Scotland. It's Christmas and she is learning the traditions of her new home. A popular musical group, featuring a local, is coming back to give a concert and try out some of their new music prior to going on tour. But then the lead singer is found murdered.

Emilia, with the help of her new friends must find the murderer. But the murderer is also trying to find her and her friends. It's a race of time to find the murderer.

I was really looking forward to reading the newest book in the series after being introduced to the characters. The writing is crisp and enjoyable. The character development is great, as we continue to learn more about Emilia and her friends. My only complaint was that the ending seemed to be a little pat, as the murderer just walked in her office and confessed. It was a little convenient. But that's a minor point. Overall, I loved the book!

Death at a Scottish Christmas
(Scottish Isle Mystery 3)
Lucy Connelly





It’s Dr. Emilia McRoy’s first Christmas in Sea Isle...

Doc is worried that she won’t have enough to do during her month long Christmas break, so she has her friend Mara sign her up to help out with the holiday committees. This proves to be right as by the seventh she has completed her Christmas shopping and wrapping, caught up on her reading, and finally cleaned everything!

Just as she’s contemplating what to do next, Mara calls and asks her to help ferry the night’s performers into town. You see Mara has invited Bram and the Stokers band to play in her grandparents' pub. This is to help the town of Sea Isle businesses financially through the winter season. They are the most famous band in Scotland and arguably the entire UK! But with a broken tour bus, unless Emilia helps there won’t be a concert tonight...

Emilia pulls through, helping Mara get the band with their equipment back to Sea Isle. The lead singer Bram flirts with her on the way back, even asking her for a dance that night. After she finds out some disturbing news from him she goes home early.

On her way to breakfast at the pub, Doc spots Bram on the beach. At first, thinking that he’s just enjoying the sunrise only to discover the terrible truth… Bram is dead!

Now instead of a jubilent day, it turns into an investigation and memorial that this sleepy little Scottish town wasn’t expecting. After the manager calls in the metro police, a new detective is sent to replace Ewan as lead.

What secrets are the band and its manager hiding?!


I truly thought that this book was going one way only to find something entirely different happening. This meant I didn’t understand who the killer was until close to the end and the reasoning… Nope, I never suspected that! Damn, this series just keeps getting better!
On a bit of a side note. I felt the author did a good job of delivering the facts of Alzheimers. About how it can affect not just the patient but those closest as well without being too bogged down by the emotional tolls suffered from this horrible disease.

I loved everything about this mystery! I was turning pages deep into the night when I should have been sleeping I just couldn’t put it down!
5*****


Thank you to Netgalley, Ms. Connelly, and the publisher for the ARC.
#DeathataScottishChristmas #ScottishIsleMystery #Lucy Connelly #Scotland #Mystery #CSI #Medical